Qabbani urges Arab, world leaders to stop Israeli aggression

Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani called Friday on the Arab and international communities to take swift action in the face of Israel’s aggression against Gaza. "We call on international organizations, the U.N. Security Council, the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference as well as Arab leaders to act immediately to stop the Israeli aggression,” Qabbani said in a statement. Israel launched earlier this week air raids on the Gaza Strip after the assassination of a top Hamas commander, prompting Palestinian factions to fire rockets back at the Jewish state. In a bid to contain the fighting that has raised concerns of a possible all-out war, Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Kandil arrived in Gaza Friday. Israel said it would suspend military operations against the Gaza Strip during Kandil’s three-hour visit. Qabbani condemned the bombardment of Gaza, describing it as “criminal and a brutal act.” “The Palestinian people's tragic suffering in Gaza today is shared by all Arabs and Muslims and should create a spirit of solidarity within them,” he added. The mufti, also the head of the Higher Islamic Council, saluted the Palestinian people for their resistance in the face of “Israel’s arrogance.” From The Daily Star